Georgievska V. Christopher Marlowe's Works and the Genre of Tragedy in English Renaissance Literature

The thesis is devoted to the analysis of C. Marlowe's plays, which reflected the literary tendencies of Elizabethan era and were the conceptual foundation for the formation of W. Shakespeare's genius in the English national literature. It has been revealed that the value of the literary heritage of C. Marlowe for the development of the history of literature, particularly for the study of the formation of the English national literature, lies in the writer's innovation: complete rethinking and modification of blank verse, transformation of the genre of tragedy by bringing in the motive de casibus and N. Machiavelli's philosophy to the classic genre, creation of a new genre of drama chronicles and philosophic tragedy through which the playwright realized his educational plans and engaged audience in the collective discussion, reflection of the important historical and cultural events in the life of England. It has been proved that the play "The Jew of Malta" could be considered the apogee of С. Marlowe's works, as the writer was one of the first (among English playwrights / in English drama) who employed motive de casibus in his works and introduced a modified N. Machiavelli's philosophy, used comic techniques (in particular elements of the farce genre), which became the leading doctrines of his plays. These additional elements combined with the genre of tragedy enable C. Marlowe to create an unsurpassed image of Barabbas, personifying absolute evil. In the thesis it has been grounded that in the history of the English literature С. Marlowe came as a courageous reformer in art. In his plays the humanistic ideal clashes in open conflict with the fundamentals of the medieval feudal ideology and, above all, with religion and established morals. It has been revealed that the playwright's works were an attempt to destroy the repressive cultural institutions in England in XVI century. It is the redefining of C. Marlowe's creative work which gives an idea about the beginning of the formation of national English literature, about the development of theatrical art and the emergence of a new culture from the middle of the nation. It has been proved that the playwright opposed the conventional dramatic personae of the English drama with his own Renaissance characters. By his plays C. Marlowe formed new dramatic canons and made the first steps towards the emergence of the English national literature.